24 November 2009
Nine South African cities and seven other cities spread over five continents will play host to Fifa’s official public viewing events for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™.
From Table Mountain to the Copacabana, from Durban Beach to the Eiffel Tower, from Soweto to Sydney Harbour, Fifa’s Fan Fests will enable football fans worldwide to watch 2010 World Cup matches in some of the most iconic locations in South Africa and around the world.
All nine South African host cities as well as Berlin, London, Mexico City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney were on Monday unveiled as locations for the official public viewing events of football’s flagship tournament.
Millions of fans are expected to watch the matches live and experience the unique World Cup ambience in these outdoor areas. Entrance to the Fifa Fan Fest™ is free, with all 64 matches to be broadcast on giant screens in a safe and secure environment.
Official public viewings events were first launched by Fifa at the 2006 World Cup, when more than 18-million fans gathered at the 12 official events, transforming Germany into one of the greatest fan parties of all time.
“The Fifa Fan Fest was an important part of the success of the 2006 Fifa World Cup, and we believe that the 2010 Fifa Fan Fests, both in South Africa and in the other seven international venues, will bring an unprecedented experience to millions of football fans in South Africa and around the world,” Fifa president Sepp Blatter said in a statement on Monday.
“The first international Fifa Fan Fest is another milestone in bringing the excitement of the Fifa World Cup to an even greater audience.”
In South Africa, the Fan Fests will be organised by the host cities together with Fifa and the Local Organising Committee, with the international Fan Fest cities and Fifa taking responsibility for the international events.
“We have always wanted the 2010 Fifa World Cup to touch the lives of as many South Africans as possible,” said Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 Local Organising Committee. “The Fifa Fan Fest will provide an opportunity for millions of our people to watch the matches in a festival environment for free, and will also provide an opportunity for small businesses and our musical talents to benefit from this event.”
Besides football, all cities will provide tastes and sounds of each of the countries through an all-day entertainment programme outside the actual broadcast of the matches. In South Africa, in particular, this will offer opportunities for small local businesses to provide services and sell local arts and crafts.
On 4 December 2009, visitors and South Africans will be able to get a taste of what’s in store in 2010 when Cape Town hosts the Long Street Festival for the 2010 Final Draw, which will feature an official Fifa Fan Fest™ showcase event.
A significant contribution to the South African Fan Fests will be made by presenting sponsor Coca-Cola, joined by Fifa Fan Fest South Africa™ sponsors MTN and Neo Africa. The official broadcaster of the event, the SABC, will also be playing a vital role across all venues in South Africa.
The International Fifa Fan Fest™ will be supported by Coca-Cola, Emirates, Hyundai/Kia and Sony.
Source: Fifa.com
